Wizarding World - Diagon Alley Discussion (Opens 2014)

[Jymmymack]

Geez calm down. Okay, maybe I pushed it with the inclusion of Beetlejuice . But people flock to it.

And I don't feel like being attacked anymore, so I'm done. But I won't back down from my opinion. Universal will be going in the wrong direction with more Potter. They have an opportunity to expand their name, and flex their muscle, and they are probably going to miss out on it. They have the chance to show people they are about more than Potter, but they won't. They'll stick to trying to print money with Potter. People's expectations will be through the roof, and it will fail in the public eye. It will not boast attendance 30%. People won't love Mythos as much anymore. Universal will go back to the drawing board again. That's my prediction, and I'm sticking to it.

Dude, for real. I never said it was the best idea or that I wouldn't prefer a mythological island. I said that it was what they were going to do. They are going to squeeze this as much as they can. And it won't fail. The public loves new and shiny, no matter what it is. Of course it won't boost their numbers by 30% again. And the expansion will really fail so hard as to warrant a trip back to the drawing board and a scrapping of the land? Please. Delusional thoughts from Fantasy Island.

 

[hildyp0824]

I think between Diagon and Hogsmeade there should be an attraction where the queue is the train station where you walk through the brick wall (possibly a projection on a smoke-screen or an optical illusion). The ride itself could be similar to Catastrophe Canyon and Disaster where you board the Hogwarts Express and survive a Dementor onslaught. The ride dump could be by the Hogsmeade entrance/Hogwarts Express station thus connecting Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade.

I really like this idea.

 

[TSSD]

Wow, talk about a thread exploding!

Mythos has the most weight on the Island and that can easily be rethemed with the same good, award-winning food. Potter for the win!

How could it use the same theme if it were a Potter attraction? It would need to be British, the current menu wouldn't work. That's why I think if HP does take over the island, they would need to use a different, non HP-related storyline.

 

[Skipper Justin]

Wow, talk about a thread exploding!


How could it use the same theme if it were a Potter attraction? It would need to be British, the current menu wouldn't work. That's why I think if HP does take over the island, they would need to use a different, non HP-related storyline.

Yeah the current menu would have to change but it already changes a lot with what the chef prepares. Other than that, the menu is in no way Greek Food (Pad Thai and Filet for example), and they could easily make a nice British eatery.

 

[Brian G.]

Ok so they add London Broil, Sheppard's Pie, Bangers & Mash, etc.. It'd be bringing in some new meals, and be totally different than the 3 Broomsticks.

The menu doesn't make the restaurant, the chefs/cooks do.

 

[Scarletwebslingr]

Screw Diagon Alley, I'd rather just have an Emma Watson attraction. I could see that being a pretty fun ride.

 

[TSSD]

Screw Diagon Alley, I'd rather just have an Emma Watson attraction. I could see that being a pretty fun ride.

Well, that really sounds kind of creepy!

 

[jj3352]

Wowza This Thread exploded! I don't see why people think that if potter were to go into the studios it would cheapen the experience.

 

[Brian G.]

Wowza This Thread exploded! I don't see why people think that if potter were to go into the studios it would cheapen the experience.

It's not going into the Studios...so that convo should just stop.

 

[TSSD]

Wowza This Thread exploded! I don't see why people think that if potter were to go into the studios it would cheapen the experience.

This is just one of several reasons, but the whole point of the Studios is for you to be in a working studio. The whole point of the WWoHP is for you to be completely immersed in the wizarding world, not in a studio where the movies are being filmed.

--- Update ---

It's not going into the Studios...so that convo should just stop.

:embarassed: Sorry Briman, didn't see this. Ignore the above post.

 

[Latveria]

Not going into the Studios? Universal Creative...I didn't know you posted here!! So...have any facts to back up why it isn't going into Studios?

 

[Disneyhead]

About the Phase 2 going into the studios, I posted in July 2008 that I had heard that there was a plan to put Phase 2 where Jaws is. At that point I had suggested running a train through the back lot to WWOHP@IOA.

Here is the exact post:

Disneyhead07-25-2008, 10:58 PM

There was a rumor saying that they might extend the HP land into Universal Studios as well as using the land around Jaws, which meant bye-bye to the shark.

I doubt it to be true, but thought it was worth mentioning.
I actually started a thread concerning that very rumor over on IOA Central. Its rather lengthy so instead of copy paste I'll just link it.

http://www.boards.ioacentral.com/index.php?showtopic=12660&hl=

As I said, it is just me blue skying based on the leaky Cauldron rumor and a few other tidbits of nonsense I heard.

If you go to the IOACentral link there is a bit more info.

-edit-

PS, Sorrry Brian, I started my post last night and didn't see your kabash on the rumor. But I don't believe that this rumor is going to die.

 

[Brian G.]

Not going into the Studios? Universal Creative...I didn't know you posted here!! So...have any facts to back up why it isn't going into Studios?

Really?

You know very well when one has a source, no facts are ever given. But considering my track record, and how reliable my source has been in the past, saying "It's not going there" should be enough, and all that's necessary. I share my insider info on a "need to know" basis, which means I'll post it "all that is needed to know, when you need to know". So all you need to know is "An expansion is happening, It is not going to be a part of Universal Studios."

Combine that with common sense, and ouila, squashed a rumor.

Next time you wanna be a smart ass, and call someone out, make sure it isn't someone who actually has sources and doesn't just spout out assumptions as facts.

 

[Disneyhead]

Brian, i believe that the OLD rumor of Phase 2 going into the studios is going to be a thorn until construction starts. But let's re-emphesis the NEW "rumor" (I am hoping what you are hearing is the same as what I am hearing).

The current rumor for Phase 2 is that the Leaky Cauldron is gonna fall onto Fire Eater's Grill like a farmhouse on a wicked witch. The Leaky Cauldron will span the walkway with a highly themed yet somewhat open air covered seating area. You will pass through the back wall into Diagon Alley. Diagon Alley's main walkway will run from The Leaky Cauldron to Gringott's Bank (Sindbad's). The tall buildings and enclosed nature of the streets will block out EVERYTHING but Diagon Alley. Knockturn Alley will be a spur off of the main walkway and lead to the current WWOHP. What better place for mysterios portal to Scotland than Knockturn Alley, Right?

 

[JungleSkip]

Brian, i believe that the OLD rumor of Phase 2 going into the studios is going to be a thorn until construction starts. But let's re-emphesis the NEW "rumor" (I am hoping what you are hearing is the same as what I am hearing).

The current rumor for Phase 2 is that the Leaky Cauldron is gonna fall onto Fire Eater's Grill like a farmhouse on a wicked witch. The Leaky Cauldron will span the walkway with a highly themed yet somewhat open air covered seating area. You will pass through the back wall into Diagon Alley. Diagon Alley's main walkway will run from The Leaky Cauldron to Gringott's Bank (Sindbad's). The tall buildings and enclosed nature of the streets will block out EVERYTHING but Diagon Alley. Knockturn Alley will be a spur off of the main walkway and lead to the current WWOHP. What better place for mysterios portal to Scotland than Knockturn Alley, Right?

That'd be pretty sweet.

But what of the rumors that there would be 2 new attractions? Is that dead now?

 

[TSSD]

Brian, i believe that the OLD rumor of Phase 2 going into the studios is going to be a thorn until construction starts. But let's re-emphesis the NEW "rumor" (I am hoping what you are hearing is the same as what I am hearing).

The current rumor for Phase 2 is that the Leaky Cauldron is gonna fall onto Fire Eater's Grill like a farmhouse on a wicked witch. The Leaky Cauldron will span the walkway with a highly themed yet somewhat open air covered seating area. You will pass through the back wall into Diagon Alley. Diagon Alley's main walkway will run from The Leaky Cauldron to Gringott's Bank (Sindbad's). The tall buildings and enclosed nature of the streets will block out EVERYTHING but Diagon Alley. Knockturn Alley will be a spur off of the main walkway and lead to the current WWOHP. What better place for mysterios portal to Scotland than Knockturn Alley, Right?

I actually really like that idea. It keeps the Greek section, and therefore Mythos, in place, it gives the DA fans what they want, and it separates the two parts, and doesn't just make it so they're right next to each other.

 

[JungleSkip]

If that's the case I'll be disappointed. Only because I think PF is prime for a Ministry of Magic walkthrough.

 

[Latveria]

Can't wait to quote my post and yours whenever this is announced. Going to be so sweet :wave:

 

[Disneyhead]

That'd be pretty sweet.

But what of the rumors that there would be 2 new attractions? Is that dead now?

Our friendly Spirit mentioned One major, 2 Minor attractions. But given the nature of the word attraction who knows what they will be. Well, we know the big money goes to the Gringott's Vault being the major. But NO clue what the minors will be. I would love the Hogwart's Express using the Kong 360 tech. And while the finale would most likely include dementors i believe that the Deatheater's that stopped the train to look for potter will be far more scary.

-edit-

Oh, and I have heard that the leaky cauldron will also be counter service similar to 3Bs but with a slightly tweaked menu. Like Brian mentioned, expect Bangers and Mash and Corned Beef and Cabbage.

And why doesn't the 3Bs have those Scotch Eggs that they have at Finnegan's? I love me some Scoth Eggs.

 

[TheDecemberists]

I'm okay with this rumor. It works. I like it.

One of the "minor" attractions would be Olivanders, right? I'd like to think they would move it to its proper location.